You know how much I love all holidays and celebrations, so when my webmaster told me about National MAKE UP YOUR OWN HOLIDAY DAY I wanted to do a blog about it. It was founded by Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays and is celebrated on March 26. That gives you several weeks to plan this creative day with your students.
Note! You might have heard me say that children don’t need the world’s fair because they are happy with plain vanilla. Keep this in mind as you create your own holiday. Something as simple as “sitting where you want” or “chewing sugarless gum” or “singing as you read” can make any day more interesting.
WHY? To break the monotony of school by inventing, naming, and celebrating something that gives your classroom family JOY! It will be a way to build friendships and make memories.
HOW? Let children brainstorm simple things that make them happy. It could be a pet, a game, a food, a song…anything! Vote on a specific concept that will involve the whole class.
WHAT? Think of a name for your holiday. Make banners announcing your holiday. Think of costumes, games, foods or other ways to celebrate.
Here are a few suggestions from CHATGPT, but I bet your class could come up with some that are better and more unique to their age and interests. (I'd love for you to email your ideas to drjeansongs@gmail.com.)
🎨 Creativity Celebration Day
· Everyone invents a craft or art project
· Design your own holiday logo and flag
· Make up a theme song
🍕 Favorite Things Festival
· Everyone chooses their favorite food, game, movie, or dessert
· Decorate based on favorite colors
· Share why you picked your favorites
🌎 Around-the-World Day
Each person “creates” a country:
· Make a flag
· Invent traditions
· Serve a snack from that country
🦸 Superhero Appreciation Day
· Create your own superhero name and power
· Design capes
· Do “hero acts” (kindness challenges)
📚 Storybook Holiday
· Make up a holiday legend
· Create a special character (like Santa, but unique!)
· Write and illustrate a short book
🌞 No-Complaints Day
· Put a coin in a jar for every complaint
· Celebrate at the end with something fun if you succeed
👑 Royalty for a Day
· Each person gets crowned
· Make a royal decree
· Fancy dinner with silly etiquette rules
